F1 Star Ollie Bearman Invests in Fast-Growing Health Brand IM8

NEW YORK, NY – February 13, 2026 – In a move that highlights a significant evolution in sports endorsements, Formula 1 driver Ollie Bearman has been announced as the newest Global Ambassador for the premium health brand IM8. More notably, the 20-year-old racing prodigy has also become a shareholder in IM8's parent company, Prenetics Global Limited (NASDAQ: PRE), signaling a deeper, more integrated form of partnership that is gaining traction among elite athletes.

This collaboration aligns one of motorsport's most exciting young talents with a brand that has demonstrated explosive growth since its launch. IM8, co-founded by football icon David Beckham, has rapidly carved out a significant space in the competitive supplement market, a trajectory now bolstered by the authentic endorsement of a top-tier F1 driver who first used the product to gain a competitive edge.

The New Blueprint for Athlete Endorsements

Bearman's decision to take an equity stake in Prenetics marks a departure from the traditional sponsorship model. Instead of simply lending his name and image, he is tying his financial future to the brand's success, a move that provides powerful validation of his belief in the product. This athlete-investor trend is redefining brand partnerships, transforming them from transactional arrangements into long-term, mutually beneficial alliances.

For the athlete, an equity stake offers the potential for significant financial upside beyond a fixed endorsement fee, creating a vested interest in the company's growth and public perception. For the brand, it generates a level of authenticity that money alone cannot buy. When an F1 driver, whose career depends on peak physical and mental conditioning, invests their own capital, it sends a powerful message to consumers about the product's efficacy.

Bearman himself underscored this commitment in the official announcement. "I’m not just endorsing this brand; I’m investing in it because I believe in the product and the team," he stated. "Trust is critical in my world, and IM8’s commitment to the NSF Certified for Sport® certification gives me complete confidence. It’s an honor to join David Beckham and the IM8 family to share the importance of foundational health with a global audience."

Fueling the Pinnacle of Motorsport

The physical and cognitive demands placed on a Formula 1 driver are among the most extreme in professional sports. Pilots endure immense G-forces, cockpit temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F), and sustained heart rates comparable to those of marathon runners for up to two hours. Success is measured in milliseconds, requiring unwavering focus and lightning-fast reflexes. This environment makes optimized nutrition and recovery non-negotiable.

Bearman’s journey with IM8 began organically, as a consumer seeking to enhance his performance. He reported feeling a "noticeable difference in my energy levels, focus on the track, and recovery between races" after incorporating the brand's flagship product, Daily Ultimate Essentials, into his regimen. This personal experience was the catalyst for the formal partnership.

Crucially, the product’s NSF Certified for Sport® designation was a key factor. This independent, third-party certification ensures that a supplement contains exactly what is stated on the label, has been tested for contaminants, and is free from over 280 substances banned by major athletic organizations. For an athlete subject to rigorous anti-doping protocols, this certification provides an indispensable layer of trust and safety, eliminating the risk of accidental ingestion of prohibited substances.

The partnership taps into a booming market. The global sports nutrition sector was valued at over $59 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed $114 billion by 2034, driven by a growing consumer base that extends beyond professional athletes to everyday individuals seeking to optimize their health.

Prenetics' High-Speed Growth Strategy

IM8's parent company, Prenetics, has engineered one of the most aggressive and successful brand launches in the recent history of the supplement industry. Since its commercial debut in late 2024, IM8 has achieved an extraordinary US$100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just 11 months, with some reports indicating it surpassed the $108 million ARR mark in October 2025. This rapid scaling is fueled by a business model that masterfully blends scientific credibility with star power.

Co-founded with David Beckham, the brand immediately captured global attention. The addition of world-class athletes like tennis star Aryna Sabalenka and now Ollie Bearman reinforces its positioning as a go-to for elite performers. This celebrity firepower is built upon a foundation of scientific rigor, with a Scientific Advisory Board comprising experts from world-renowned institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai.

Prenetics has demonstrated a clear strategic focus, divesting other business units to channel resources into IM8's global expansion. The company projects revenues to climb to between $180-$200 million for the 2026 fiscal year. Danny Yeung, CEO of Prenetics, highlighted the unique nature of the new partnership.

"Ollie is someone who has already delivered extraordinary performances at an age when most drivers are still years away from Formula 1," Yeung commented. "The fact that this partnership developed organically, with Ollie first being a genuine user of the product, speaks volumes about the efficacy and trust that IM8 has built. Having a young driver with his ambition and potential not only as an ambassador but also as a shareholder is incredibly exciting."

A Rising Star's Trajectory and Market Impact

Ollie Bearman's ascent in the world of motorsport has been nothing short of meteoric. His reputation was cemented during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when, at just 18 years old, he was called up on short notice to drive for the legendary Scuderia Ferrari. He finished the race in an impressive 7th place, becoming the youngest British driver ever to score points in a World Championship Grand Prix.

After a full debut season in 2025, he now enters his second full season in Formula 1 as a driver for the Haas F1 Team, where he continues to be seen as a genuine generational prospect. His youth, composure, and evident talent make him a highly marketable figure, particularly to a younger demographic that follows the sport with fervent passion.

By aligning with Bearman, IM8 not only gains a credible voice in the high-performance world of F1 but also connects with this next generation of consumers. The partnership is a symbiotic one: IM8 gains an authentic, rising star to champion its science-backed approach to health, while Bearman aligns himself with a dynamic, fast-growing global brand that reflects his own commitment to peak performance and a forward-looking mindset.